VARIOUS ARTISTS -- "ON THE ROCKS (PART 1)" and "ON THE ROCKS (PART 2)" (Capitol) "Bachelor pad" music is certainly an acquired taste, but these two discs (available separately) make it relatively easy to like. They feature lounge renditions of '60s rock hits by performers including Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, David McCallum (of "Man From U.N.C.L.E." fame), Wayne Newton, the Lettermen, Nelson Riddle, Guy Lombardo and Mrs. Miller. Eight Beatle covers are included over the two sets. They include tracks by Peggy Lee ("A Hard Day's Night"), The Little Big Horns ("Get Back"), John Andrew Tartaglia ("A Day in the Life"/"I Am the Walrus"), Frances Lai ("Carry That Weight"), Lord Sitar/Sandler & Young ("Blue Jay Way"/"Blackbird"), and the Hollyridge Strings ("Can't Buy Me Love"/"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"). If you like Rhino's "Golden Throats" series (as we do), chances are you'll find something here to like. A couple of our favorites: Mel Torme trying desperately to be hip singing "Sunshine Superman," Peggy Lee's sultry take on "A Hard Day's Night" (both on Part 1) and Mrs. Miller's incredibly dreadful (and hilarious) version of "These Boots Are Made For Walkin' " on Part 2. Ow, that hurt. (Aug. '98)

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